Monitoring and preparing
Encourage congregants or church members who are sick to stay at home.
If someone shows a temperature of 100.5 Fahrenheit or higher upon entering the auditorium or if a person becomes sick and comes down with a fever/temp. 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during hours of service, this person will be separated promptly from the rest of the congregants into a designated area.
This sick member will be advised to return home accompanied by a family member or a trained volunteer.
This sick member may be transported to an urgent care center if necessary, depending on severity of the situation.
A trained volunteer will close off areas used by the sick person and this particular area will not be used until after cleaning and disinfection; however, we will wait 24 hours before we clean and disinfect to reduce risk to individuals doing the cleaning. If it is not possible to wait 24 hours, we will wait as long as possible before the cleaning and disinfecting.
We will ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep disinfectant products away from children.
We will advise sick congregants not to return to the church until they have met CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation.
We will notify local health officials if a person which was diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the facility and had contact with staff and/or congregants about potential exposure while maintaining confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other applicable laws in accordance with religious practices.
We will inform those with exposure to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
Hygienic and cleaning practices
1) We will encourage the use of a surgical mask preferably or a n-95 mask at all gatherings and upon entering the building.
Children aged less than 2 years old will be exempt of mask wearing.
2) We will have on-site adequate hygiene supplies, such as soap, tissues, no-touch trash cans.
- Hand sanitizer (with at least 60 percent alcohol)
- we will have a supply of disposable facemasks available with each greeter in case the congregant forgot his/her face mask.
- The doors to the sanctuary are to be opened and closed only by greeters.
- The greeters will direct congregants to designated seats to apply correct social distancing measures.
3) We will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
This may necessitate cleaning of objects/surfaces after use of the sanctuary by previous group of congregants (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, bathroom sink handles, countertops, hard surfaces of sitting benches). We will use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
4) We will ensure that ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors.
5) We will take steps to ensure that all water systems and features (for example, drinking fountains, decorative fountains) are safe to use after a prolonged facility shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water. We will consider if necessary, to use a “out of order” sign over the water fountains.
6) We will avoid the use of items that are not easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected. We will also ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep them away from children.
7) We will avoid distribution of paper bulletins to congregants.
8) We will strongly suggest nodding, bowing, or waving instead of shaking hands, hugging, or kissing during and/or after the service is over.
9) We will also avoid holding hands during or after the service/prayers.
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